Form Guide: Looking good

5 years ago

Munich – The 51st edition of the Bundesliga begins on Friday with the clash between Bayern Munich and Borussia Mönchengladbach. The battle for the title, the European positions, and the fight against relegation will be decided later in the season, but a good start can provide the platform upon which a successful campaign can be built.

But which clubs have already hit a purple patch and look set to perform to the best of their abilities this weekend? And which are still struggling?

Bundesliga.com’s form guide provides an overview, presenting those sides whose preparation is well on track.

Did you know that… Freiburg only scored four headers during the 2012/13 season? Mike Hanke, who has scored 20 of his 55 Bundesliga goals with his head, could be the man to alter that statistic.

Did you know… new strikers Daniel Ginczek and Josip Drmic are very strong on the counterattack? Ginczek managed seven, while Drmic scored five goals on the break last season.

Did you know… no other backline scored as many goals as Wolfsburg’s last season? VfL’s defenders hit the net eleven times in total – as many as Gladbach.

Did you know… the Schwaben played 52 competitive games in 2012/13. Only Bayern played more matches (54). A similar marathon awaits them this campaign.

Did you know… Halil Altintop has scored 47 goals in 236 Bundesliga appearances? The 30-year-old Turk has played for Kaiserslautern, Schalke and Frankfurt.

Did you know… Hoffenheim managed to win five out of their nine competitive matches under Markus Gisdol last season? Two ended in draws, the other two ended in defeats.

Did you know… Hertha BSC have swapped divisions for the fourth time in a row? The club from the capital are determined to avoid an immediate return to the second tier this time around.